COVINGTON, Ky. — The City of Covington is bringing back a familiar initiative once the holidays come to a close.    

What You Need To Know

  • The City of Covington is partnering with Rumpke Waste & Recycling for its 11th annual Holiday Tree Recycling Program 

  • Residents with natural trees have pickup and drop-off options

  • Once trees are collected, they will be chipped into mulch

  • Trees need to be stripped of any lights, ornaments, tinsel and other decorations before they are collected 

In partnership with Rumpke Waste & Recycling, the city will host its 11th annual Holiday Tree Recycling Program. Residents with natural Christmas trees will have pickup and drop-off options, which the city and Rumpke will collect to help turn into mulch.

According to the city, trees should be stripped of all lights, ornaments, tinsel and other decorations. They should not be placed in plastic bags. 

"This is the ultimate in recycling – we want to take an item that would otherwise take up space in a landfill and turn it into something useful: mulch that can be used to beautify garden spots around Covington," said Sheila Fields, the city's solid waste and recycling manager.

Residents can drop off their trees at one of three locations from Dec. 26 through Jan. 18, 2024:

  • South Covington: at the parking lot at Tripoli and Hands Pike, adjacent to Neighborhood Park
  • Devou Park: at the Urban Forestry Garage, 1625 Montague Road
  • Riverfront: in the parking lot at 14 Pete Rose Pier 

Residents can also have their trees picked up on regular trash collection days from Jan. 4-18, 2024. However, they will need to call Rumpke at (800) 828-8171 at least 48 hours in advance, as the service will send a special truck.

According to the city, once trees are chipped into mulch, they will be used by the Covington Department of Public Works' Urban Forestry division while being offered to residents and neighborhood groups for community gardens and beautification efforts.  

Related Stories